CHAPTER XXI.
"HE had the stroke in the night," said Barney Bill suddenly.
Paul turned sharply on him.

"Why wasn't I told ?" "Could you have cured him ?" "Of course not." "Could you have done him any good ?" "I ought to have been told." "You had enough of worries before you for one day, sonny." "That was my business," said Paul.
"Jane and I, being as it were responsible parties, took the liberty, so to speak, of thinking it our business too." Paul drummed impatiently on his knees.
"Yer ain't angry, are you, sonny ?" the old man asked plaintively.
"No--not angry--with you and Jane--certainly not.

I know you acted for the best, out of love for me.

But you shouldn't have deceived me.

I thought it was a mere nervous breakdown--the strain and shock.